Proposed apartment block needs height restriction approval

A plan to build a new apartment block with a height allowance near Strachan Road will go before the municipal planning commission today for final approval.

Seniors housing provider Points West Living announced in August it planned to build a $24-million facility in partnership with landowner Canalta Real Estate.

At that time it successfully applied for zoning change for the six-storey complex that would mostly rise to 19.5 metres above grade. That’s 1.5 metres taller than is typically permitted on land zoned for highway commercial use, and a small portion at one end will rise slightly higher than that to 22 metres.

The development permit for the site will be considered this afternoon, 2:30 p.m. at city hall, when the commission convenes.

The plan drew concern from residents in the eastern edge of the neighbouring Chartwell Gardens community, who worried how such a height might affect the morning sun and shade to the eastern.

Planners say the project would have little effect on only a few houses in terms of sunlight, and fits well with the city’s strategic plan to bolster new development on existing roads and utility infrastructure.

Such variance applications are fairly common in planning applications, though planners said in August they would bring the item to open commission meeting due to the substantial nature of the development.

Points West is planning to construct a 131-unit block that would be the first of two possible phases on land it has under contract at 1713 Strachan Dr. That development is a project of Canalta Real Estate, which would build the structure, and has a variety of projects at the entire 17 acres nearby that the hotel chain bought off the City of Medicine Hat.

About one third of the 150 parking stalls proposed for the building would be underground.